Peas Farming in India – Complete Guide

Pea is one of the most important winter season legume and vegetable crops in India. It not only provides delicious green vegetables but also improves soil fertility by fixing nitrogen. Vegetable pea cultivation gives farmers good profit in a short time.

1. Field Preparation (What should the soil be like?)

1.1 Land Selection

• Loamy or sandy loam soil is best for pea cultivation.
• Proper drainage is necessary to prevent root rot.

1.2 Soil Testing

• The pH value should be between 6.0–7.5.
• Conduct soil testing and add deficient nutrients beforehand.

1.3 Deep Ploughing

• Do deep ploughing once during summer with a plough or rotavator.
• Ploughing destroys insect and weed eggs.

1.4 Leveling

• Keep the field level so that water spreads evenly.

1.5 Use of Organic Fertilizer

• Mix 20–25 tons of well-decomposed cow dung or compost per acre in the soil.

1.6 Moisture Management

• Maintain adequate moisture in the soil; excessive dryness or waterlogging is harmful.

1.7 Bed Formation

• Make beds 1–1.2 meters wide with channels in between.

2. Seed Treatment and Selection

2.1 Selection of Improved Varieties

• For green pea cultivation, varieties like Pusa Pragati, Arkel, Jawahar Matar, and Azad Matar are ideal.

2.2 Selection of Disease-Free Seeds

• Buy only certified and healthy seeds.

2.3 Seed Disinfection

• Treat seeds with Thiram or Carbendazim at 2–3 grams per kg of seed.

2.4 Organic Treatment

• Treat seeds with Rhizobium and PSB culture to increase yield.

2.5 Pre-Storage Inspection

• Clean seeds and remove small, broken, or diseased grains before storage.

3. Planting: Right Time and Method of Sowing

3.1 Ideal Sowing Time

• In North India: October–November
• In South India: November–December

3.2 Seed Quantity

• 35–40 kg seed per acre is sufficient.

3.3 Sowing Depth

• Sow at a depth of 4–5 cm.

3.4 Plant Spacing

• Keep 30 cm between rows and 10 cm between plants.

3.5 Ridge-Furrow or Bed Method

• Choose the method depending on irrigation facilities.

4. Irrigation: How Often and How to Do It?

4.1 Initial Irrigation

• Give light irrigation immediately after sowing.

4.2 Irrigation Interval

• Irrigate at an interval of 10–12 days.

4.3 Adjustment as per Weather

• In colder weather, increase the irrigation interval.

4.4 Drip or Sprinkler Method

• Drip saves both water and fertilizer.

4.5 Harm from Over or Under Irrigation

• Over-irrigation causes root rot; under-irrigation causes shriveled pods.

5. Fertilizer Management

5.1 Basal Dose

• At the time of ploughing, apply 20 kg Nitrogen, 40 kg Phosphorus, and 20 kg Potash per acre.

5.2 Use of Organic Fertilizers

• Apply cow dung manure or vermicompost.

5.3 Nutrition as per Crop Stage

• Give a light dose of nitrogen before flowering.

5.4 Supply of Micronutrients

• If zinc or boron deficiency is observed, do foliar spraying.

6. Pest and Disease Control

6.1 Common Pests

• Aphids, leaf curlers, pod borers.

6.2 Use of Organic Insecticides

• Spray neem oil at 5 ml per liter of water.

6.3 Chemical Control

• Use recommended insecticides if pest infestation is severe.

6.4 Preventive Measures

• Seed treatment and crop rotation.

6.5 Crop Inspection

• Inspect the crop every 7 days.

7. Weed Control

7.1 Initial Control

• First weeding 20–25 days after sowing.

7.2 Manual Weeding

• Remove weeds manually by laborers.

7.3 Hoeing

• Hoe between rows using a hand hoe.

7.4 Use of Weedicides

• Spray Pendimethalin at 1 liter per acre immediately after sowing.

7.5 Timely Control

• Control weeds 2–3 times during the crop period.

8. Harvesting and Storage

8.1 Right Time for Harvesting

• When pods are green, seeds are full, and tender.

8.2 Harvesting Method

• Pluck by hand or cut plants and remove pods.

8.3 Washing and Cleaning

• Clean thoroughly before sending to the market.

8.4 Drying Process

• For seeds, dry until moisture content is 10–12%.

8.5 Storage Method

• Store in a dry and clean place in jute bags.

9. Profit and Cost in Pea Farming

Description	Per Acre Estimate
Cost	₹18,000–₹22,000
Production	50–60 quintals green peas
Market Price	₹25–₹40 per kg
Net Profit	₹50,000–₹80,000

Ways to Increase Profit:

• Use improved varieties.
• Ensure timely sowing and irrigation.
• Sell directly in the market.

10. FAQ – Pea Farming

1. What is the right time for sowing peas?
The best time for sowing peas is October to November. For maximum yield, sow in cool weather. Late sowing can reduce both yield and quality.

2. How much seed is required?
For one acre, you need 35–40 kg of seeds. Treat the seeds with fungicide before sowing to prevent diseases.

3. What are the improved varieties of peas?
Popular high-yield varieties include:

• Early-Maturing Varieties (Harvest in 60–75 days)
  • Arkel – Early variety, sweet grains, good for fresh market.
  • Early Badger – Quick harvesting, good flavor.
  • Bonneville – Uniform pods, suitable for early market supply.
  • Pusa Pragati – High-yield, good quality grains.
• Medium-Duration Varieties (Harvest in 80–90 days)
  • Azad Matar-1 – Disease-resistant, uniform pod size.
  • Pusa Shree – Good taste, medium yield, disease tolerance.
  • VL Matar-8 – Suitable for hills and plains.
  • Pusa Shreehari – Good quality seeds, medium duration.
• Late-Maturing Varieties (Harvest in 95–110 days)
  • Lincoln – High yield, suitable for processing industry.
  • Pusa Shree Ratna – Late variety, good storage life.
  • Pusa Kanchan – Large pods, disease resistance.
• Processing & Export Quality Varieties
  • Oregon Sugar Pod – Flat pod, good for export.
  • Alderman – Tall plants, large pods, excellent for freezing.
  • Kelvedon Wonder – Sweet taste, suitable for canning and freezing.

4. Which soil is best for peas?
Sandy loam and loam soil are best for pea cultivation. Soil pH should be between 6 and 7, with good drainage.

5. How often should irrigation be done?
Irrigate every 10–12 days. The first irrigation should be light, right after sowing. Maintain proper moisture during flowering and pod formation stages.

6. What are the main pests of peas?

• Aphids – Suck sap from leaves, weakening the crop.
• Pod borer – Damages seeds inside the pods.

7. How to control diseases in peas?

• Treat seeds with carbendazim or thiram before sowing.
• Practice crop rotation and avoid growing peas in the same field continuously.

8. What is the yield per acre?
With proper care and timely sowing, you can get 50–60 quintals of green peas per acre.

9. What is the profit?
Net profit can range from ₹50,000 to ₹80,000 per acre, depending on market prices and production costs.

10. How to store green peas?
Store green peas in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place. For long-term storage, keep them in a freezer.

11. How much fertilizer should be applied?
At sowing time, apply 20:40:20 (N:P:K) as a basal dose. Also, add 5–6 tonnes of well-decomposed farmyard manure (FYM) per acre for better growth.

12. Do peas improve soil fertility?
Yes, peas have the ability for nitrogen fixation, which naturally improves soil fertility and benefits the next crop.

Farmer Portal – Government of India
Farming Crop Information – subsistencefarming.in